Switch-lock.



swncH Lom APPLQCATION FILED APH. 6). ISU.

Patented Sept. 24, i918,

imvin J. DOLAN, or nn'r'noir, MICHIGAN, Assieivon. To BURBELL nur?, TRUSTEE or ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN.

SWITCH-LOCK.

Lessig-i523.

i c* Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 24, 191s.

` Apliiicatii sied April c, i917. serial No. 160,143.

as are used. in controlling the ignitioncircuit of an automobile or the like, although the invention in certain otite broader aspects is not limited to the particular use mentioned.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a construction which can be applied to automobile switchesnow in use by the simple substitution of parts', and with- I construct and arrange out requiring any special tools or in any way disturbing the connections to the switch; to provide a construction having a plate or casing itting over the switch block and provided with a lock which will prevent the uiiauthorized use of the switch, the lock being preferably of the tumbler type and key-op erated; to provide a construction having an additional lock whereby the casing carrying the switch-operating lock can be itself locked from unauthorized removal, and in such a manner as to completely cover or house the screws or securing devices; to provide a construction whereby the casing lock and the switch-operating lock can he independently actuated if desiredby the same key; to ,so

the parts that .irrespective of the adJustment of the switch lock the casing cannot be removed without the operation of a member independent of the switch lock; to provide a construction whereby the casing lock when secured in position will prevent access to the coil box; to provide a construction which cannot be easily broken ofi' or bent to permit unauthorized access to the switch or coils; and in general to providea new and improved construction or' the character above referred to.

The invention also res'des in such details of construction and arrangements and combinations of parts as will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a y arrangement whereby `fits over the switch coil box and switch casing embodying my invention l Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the switch construction with the casing andfae plate removed; i

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing4 "i" the vface plate in position;

Fig. 4 is all enlarged line m--m of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an 'enlarged front elevational `view showing a slightly modified construction.

Describing in detail the particular embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, A. designates the'coil box, B the cover for the coil box and C the switch block mounted on the front face of the coil box and securedl thereto by screws D and E. The switch proper comprises three stationary contacts F, F and F2 and a moi/'able contact F3 carried by a rotatably mounted insulator block F4. This block is pivotally mounted on a post and for turning the block FL its bushing II" is provided with seats or ren cesses H2 and H3. In one type of leveroper ated switch now in use, the switch is providedwith an operating arm having prongs projecting into these recesses.

The present invention contemplates an the tumbler or other suitable lock having in place of the lever. this barrel having at its inner end a plate I from which is struck lugs I2 and I3 adapted to it in the recesses I-IZ- and H3. shown this lock slot J through which a suitably shaped key can be inserted to release the lock and permit the turning of the same, the detailed construction of, the lockl mechanism, however, orming no part of the invention.

The lock barrelI is rotatably mounted in the switch casing K, which as shown in the drawings, comprises a plate portion K and a depending flange or skirt portion K2 which block C. For locking this casing K to the coil box I preferably employ a key-operated barrel L which is screwhreaded on its inner end and engages a threaded seat M in the face plate N which in turn is secured to the insulator. block and coil box by screws N', Nzand N3. The barrels I and L arepreferably actuated by the same key so that the user of the cai-. will not be compelled to carry an additional'.l key for cross section on the 'In the particular construction-f. is provided ,with an entrance .3.5 barrel I is employed over the flanged end P zoba Y g with its 'ignition switch its aspects is not limited .moving the screws N,'N2 and N3 the casing locking barrel L. the casing K is provided with a projection O grooved at O to-receive the iianged end P of a locking band P which lits over the cover B of the coil box.

The attachment and operation of my improved switch lock is as follows The old face plate of the lock is detached by reand the new face plate'N substituted therefor and locked in position by reinserting the screws N, N2 and N 3. The band P is then placed over the cover B of the coil box, and the casing K is then `placedover the insulator block C with its recessed end O fitting of the strap P. The key Q is then inserted in the slot L of the barrel L and the latter'rotated in a clockwise direction so as to secure 'the end of the rrel into the threaded seat M of the face plate N. The key is then withdrawn and thecasing K and strap P are thus firmly locked to the coil boX and all the fastening screws for the insulator block and the face plate are inaccessible, since they are housed completely withinrthe casing K. As the key cannot be Withdrawn from lthe barrel I except When the switch is turned to its At its upper end .neutral position, the lugs I2 and I3 will be 1n proper position to extend into the seats or recesses H2 andIrI3 when the casing is locked in position by L. Thus after withdrawing the key from the casing locking barrel L it is/only necesto insert the same key ,in the slot J :.113 thus rotatethe barrel I either to the rightxor left'so as to connect by means of themovwble contact E8, the contacts F and F or F and F2. en, however, the driver of the car wishes to leave the same locked so as to prevent unauthorized use ofthe carrit is only necessary .to turn the key to neutral position and withdraw it from the barrel I. While I- have shown two locks operated by. the same key, the invention in certain of to such an arrangement. One of the main features of the invention is the employment of a barrel L or like member having a screw-threaded end L2 for locking'- engagement with the plate whereby'the casing is rigidly locked in position. This barrel engagement with the groove L in whenever the key' is withdrawn.

The construction shown in Fig. 5 is the same as inthe other iigures, except for the addition of a short circuiting plate R, which, however, is not claimed in the present application.

' What I claim as my invention is: 1. In a lock for switches, the combina.- tion with a Casin adapted to fit over the switch, of a switc -actuating member-"rotaturning the barrel -barrel carried by is governed by a plural-` ity of tllmiblers L3, which move into locking,

the casing by the Vcasing and vswath block mounted a casing lockto fit over the switch block and conceal the securing means therefor, a locking member carried bysaid casing and having a switchoperating connection, and a second locking member carried by said casing and adapted to lock the casing from unauthorized re moval.A

4. In a lock for switches or the like, the combination with a switch block and securing devices therefor, of a plate secured to said switch block, a casing fitting over said plate and switchblock, a key-operated barrel carried by said casing and independent means for locking said casing to 4said plate.

5. In a lock for switches or the like, the combination with a switch block and securing devices' therefor, of a plate'secured to said switch block, a casing fitting over said plate and switch block, a keyloperated barrel carried by said casing, and independent means for locking said casing to said plate,

' combination with a switch block, of a casing fitting over the switch block, a member having a screw-threaded seat positioned inside of the casing, a tumbler controlled the casing and having a screw-threaded portion adapted to.v engage the seat whereby the casing can be locked over the switch block upon the insertion of the proper key to actuate the tumblers and rotate the.l barrel to engage its screwthreaded portion with the seat. l

7 In a-lock for switchesV or the like, the combination with a switch block, of a casing fitting over the switchblock, a member vsaid locking mechanisms being arranged to Y having a screw-threaded seat positioned inside of the casing,

having a screw-threaded portion adaptedto the casing can be lockedl over the switc block upon the insertion of the proper key to aictuate the Ibarrel so v screw-threaded portion ofthe'latter as to engage the said seat.

a rotatable barrel. carried Y '12(x engage the seat whereb s., The combination with r .con bx, @fla thereon-a Strap extending around thecoil box'and a casing adaptedv to be over theswitch blink,

said casing in its locking position forming itself alocking member for said strap to prevent access to the coil box.v

9. The combination with a coil box hav- 5 ing s. cover, of a switch block, a strap member extending over the cover of the coil box, a casing having a. tumbler lock for securing the casing to the coil box, said easing being arranged to cover the switch block and to 't over the end' of and loc-k 10 the s'tra'p member from removal.

In t-esltimony whereof I affix my signature.

DAVID J. DOLAN. 

